Best Laser Engravers

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 14, 2019

Do you want to engrave your bar logo on wine glasses? Do you want an individual 3D image cut on your leather jacket? All these things can be done easily and fast with a laser engraver. We have selected the best laser engraving machines that can satisfy both professional craftsmen and DIYers!...Read more...Read less

In addition to all the useful features this engraver supports, it has an adjustable speed of operation, with 39.4" per second being the highest one. It also produces very accurate (0.0003") carvings in a particularly high resolution (1000 DPI).

CONS

It is quite bulky.

OUR VERDICT

The Mophorn laser engraver is suitable for both home and professional use because it engraves well at high speed, is made of high-quality materials, supports the latest software, and has a durable well-thought-out design.

Mophorn 80W Co2

Great Choice for a Small DIY Shop

This Mophorn 80W laser engraver can rightly be called a universal professional-grade machine for both home and industrial use. It has an extended (compared to other models) working area and unlimited length design, thus allowing you to make different crafts of various sizes, from mini carvings to large engravings. The CO2 glass-sealed laser tube allows the user to engrave on wood, leather, bamboo, rubber, plexiglass, glass, ceramics, marble, crystal, etc. and does its job very accurately. In addition to the size of your engravings, you can also change the speed and power of carving through color coding with the raster\vector color mapping. The maximum speed of this model is 39.4” per second, so you will finish your large projects very quickly.

As for the software you can use to design your crafts, the Mophorn laser engraver supports the DSP control system. It works with most graphic design programs such as AutoCAD and CorelDraw and allows you to create differently shaped patterns with all kinds of colors. Moreover, it supports other advanced programs, so if you prefer to use another program to draw your arts, the chances are high that the DSP control system supports it as well. In order to upload images to the engraver, you can connect the machine to your PC via USB 2.0. The supported image formats are JPEG, JPG, BMP, GIF, HPGL, DXF, DST, AL.

Durable and User-Friendly

All in all, the Mophorn 80W laser cutter is a large and well-designed machine. There are four wheels attached to its base so that it would be easier to move it around. It is equipped with a double open door for quick access and simple maintenance of the inner parts. It has a small built-in cooler fan and an air compressor that prevents the laser tube and the cutting area from overheating. There is also an emergency stop button and a multi-function operation panel to give you more control of the engraving process. As for the panel, it is intuitive in use and lets you adjust the power, speed, pulse, and other parameters of the carving process. Finally, the engraving area can be heightened by changing the position of a working table. You can either get it up or down with a special handle that is located on the left side of the table or by pulling a belt located under the tabletop.

Professional Equipment

The Mophorn laser engraver is available in several types: 80W, 100W, and 130W. All these models come equipped with USB cables, an air compressor, a set of Allen wrenches to open the doors of the machine, and a CD with software. Larger models may also include additional tubes, double-sided adhesive tape, and lubricant for rubbing elements. Without a doubt, Mophorn is a professionally made piece of engraving equipment which can help both a novice and a professional DIYer grow their business.

Sunwin 089

Your First Engraver

The laser engraver from Sunwin combines some useful features for beginners who want a simple tool with intuitive controls and for professionals who need high efficiency.

Let's start with the package. You get the machine in a knocked-down condition, which is the great news for every DIYer, since assembling such a complex device will be a fun process. Plus, you can find out more about every part of the tool and, in future, you will be able to replace almost any detail by yourself. As for the maintenance, you will find all useful tips in the manual.

Another great feature of this model is a quite spacious working area. Since the engraving area is as large as 400 x 500 mm, you can process really huge workpieces.

The laser is equipped with 500 mW blue-glow semiconductor diode which allows you to engrave pictures on different organic and non-metal materials. Also, if you need to carve something out of thin wood, felt, or plastic, the manufacturer offers you models with 2.5 W and 5.5 W lasers.

Enjoy Its Adjustability

The Sunwin 500MW is equipped with a thick aluminum framework, so it is quite lightweight and has no linear distortions. The machine has two NEMA 17 stepper motors with a 42 mm flange adapter that ensures the perfect accuracy of the laser. The torque of these motors is 44 N/cm. At the same time, the step of the motor is only 1.8 degree, which ensures that all engravings will be extremely accurate.

The control panel is designed with ATmega 328 micro controller and features Arduino nano, two drivers of stepper motors, and a 12V laser module. Due to such good tech specs, you can modernize the whole system or reprogram it for compatibility with your OS if needed.

You Are Not Limited to One Program Only

This laser engraver comes with the software by Sunwin that allows you to engrave almost anything you want and has an intuitive interface. Thanks to GRBL firmware, you can work with such popular programs as t2laser and its analogs. For sure, with Sunwin 500MW 12V USB Laser Machine, the engraving process will be simpler, faster, and more enjoyable.

WER DK-BL

Little Hard Worker

The WER laser mini engraver is a perfect tool for any beginner. It is one of the smallest, fastest, most precise and easy-to-use laser engravers. The first thing that attracted our attention was its size. It is miniature and features such a minimalistic design that one can say it has nothing extra. Thus, this laser engraving cutting machine can be simply mounted on your working table near the laptop or placed on a workbench. Plus! You will need only a couple of minutes to assemble it and start working. Just get it connected to your computer, install the software and start engraving. The tool is not very powerful but super accurate! You can engrave even the smallest details of any image with the top precision, but note that the engraving area is not large limiting to certain ways of use. Usually, it is applied to engrave small promo gifts for commercial distribution or to make some unique presents for friends and family. Taking advantage of the high operation speed of this marvelous device, you can make multiple copies of the same engraved images in the shortest time. One more special feature of the engraver is its ability to work autonomously without the mains power. You just need to have a Power Bank to enable independent operation of the engraver for up to 3 hours. It is really incredible that such a performing tool as a laser engraver can be powered off a regular battery! In addition, the engraver features a unique cooling system; the laser tube is installed inside the cooler body for a better heat emission. Summing up this desktop laser cutter review, we would like to say that the machine is fantastic for leather laser engraving and wood laser engraving.

For Windows and Mac Users

Besides all the listed above advantages, this device boasts one more special feature that clearly differs this engraver from its competitors. The engraver is compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. The majority of laser engravers are compatible exclusively with Microsoft Windows versions. But the manufacturer of this laser wood cutting machine has done its best to satisfy Mac OS users as well. All necessary drivers and apps can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s site.

Don't Limit Your Imagination

If you're a creative person, you might be also interested in a quality drawing set.

Qiilu 1500mw

New and Improved

Now, let's talk about the Qiilu 1500mw laser engraver, a machine that can easily produce high-quality crafts very quickly. Taking all the flaws of the previous model into account, the manufacturer has equipped this version with a better laser head and made it more powerful. It is faster, more accurate, and can work longer. For example, when the previous model worked for more than 5 hours, the laser head overheated and that made it quickly wear off.

This new diode, however, can work continuously for 10 hours and still deliver stable trouble-free operation. Besides, it offers you a larger tabletop, which means not only does the quality of your crafts get better but they become bigger as well. For the materials you can work with, this laser cutter can engrave on wood, bamboo, plastic, acrylic, rubber, leather, paper, and other flammable materials except for metal and glass.

Once you’ve designed your crafts, you can upload them to the engraver for further work via Bluetooth or USB. It can print pictures in a 550x550 pixel resolution, which isn't too bad. Plus, the device can be connected to your PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet regardless of its OS. The Qiilu engraver is compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS. Moreover, you can operate this laser cutter distantly, just install the special drivers from the website.

More Improvements

When it comes to selecting a laser cutter, the quality of the laser itself is obviously the first thing to check for. However, if other parts of the machine are poorly designed, even the best laser head won’t be able to make up for these flaws.

In this regard, the manufacturer has also made some changes. First and foremost is the protection plate that comes in the box. This is an acrylic filter board with magnetic suction that helps protect your eyes while engraving so you don’t have to wear protective glasses to monitor the process.

By the way, the glass has two magnets on one side so that it would be easier to take the plate on and off. The frame of the machine has been thickened to 0.2”, thus becoming more solid and long-lasting. In order to support the new laser head, there is a high-power cooling fan that prolongs the life of the laser diode by preventing it from overheating. Finally, the Qiilu laser engraver comes equipped with a 6000mAh lithium battery that will cover you against electricity failure.

A Few Pleasant Extras

In addition to the full-fledged design of this engraver, it comes with quite an extended package. It includes the required installation equipment such as a data cable, software, and a manual which you will hardly need since this machine is so intuitive in use. There are also several wood slices so that you'd be able to practice before producing your first craft for sale with this machine. A nice touch, indeed. Of course, these Qiilu laser engraver will hardly be able to make crafts in large quantities as you will need at least a couple of these machines, but it is definitely the right model for a DIYer who wishes to produce unique, one-of-a-kind arts.

Meterk DK-BL

Compact, Powerful, and User-Friendly

Many will agree that the best machinery is the one that on the back of producing high-quality workpieces allows for simple operation and effortless maintenance as well. This portable laser engraver from Meterk is one of such devices. So let's find out why it is so good. Firstly, it is pretty compact, so you can locate it anywhere you'd like, and displace it effortlessly if the need be. Of course, this reduces the bed size making it smaller in comparison to other models. However, this laser engraver carves on the variety of materials starting from small wooden cutouts to wallets and mobile phone cases thus giving its user plenty of options. You aren't limited to treated materials either and can engrave wood, craft paper, acrylic, metal with paint coating, and many more.

Also, with users' convenience in mind, the manufacturer has made this powerful laser engraver easy to assemble and supplied it with a detachable frame that you can replace in the future. The packaging, by the way, is also quite full hence giving you practically everything you might need to start engraving. Suchwise, you will find in it a manual, a CD with software from Meterk, a micro USB cable to charge the machine, Allen wrench to assemble it, and laser protective glasses to protect your eyes while working. Indeed, Meterk engineers do their best to provide customers with maximally convenient and safe use.

As Simple as Possible

Not only does the Meterk DK-BL Portable Laser Engraver produce highly detailed pictures it also allows for connection with your PC, smartphone, and tablet alike. It is compatible with the majority of today's operational systems (Windows XP, iOS 9.0, Android 4.0, and above). You can link your engraver via Bluetooth and create your masterpieces anywhere and everywhere you'd like. All you need to do for that is scan the code from the manual and download the App. Handy, isn't it?

Also, the DK-BL portable laser engraver is equipped with a high power laser head with 1500 mAh full energy and quick response. It has a reliable cooling system to ensure proper operation of the laser and just a few control buttons thus making the process so enjoyable.

No Need to Worry About the Power Supply

The Meterk DK-BL is powered by a built-in 6000mAh Li-ion battery that charges via 5V USB charger. The battery working time on one charge is approximately 3 hours that is a bit longer in comparison to previous models. In order to save the charge of the battery, this model features a power saving mode that turns on after about 10 minutes of no use. In case of a battery discharge while engraving, don't worry, you won't have to start your work over. The thing is that this portable laser engraver has a power cut memory function. This means that your engraver will continue to work from that very point at which the work was interrupted. Plus, if the battery power is insufficient, you can always use the power of your smartphone or simply connect it to a 5V 1A supply; the machine will continue engraving.

All in all, the DK-BL portable laser engraver by Meterk is an excellent machine for producing high-class unique workpieces both at home and at a small workshop. It is reliable, affordable, and intuitive to control which is essential especially for novice users.

Depth

Sunwin 089: 17.3 in.

WER DK-BL: 5.7 in.

Meterk DK-BL: 5.7 in.

Meterk DK-BL

What Is a Laser Engraver?

Nowadays, many people want to personalize certain objects or engrave some images on their surfaces. There are various possible ways to cut, carve or engrave initials and pictures. This review is dedicated to one of the most interesting options, i.e. the laser engraving, the engraving of images with the focused laser beam. In other words, if you need to engrave something really fast in a place that is hard to reach and make this accurately, it is the best choice. One more advantage of this technology is a possibility to make 2D and 3D images with a laser beam.This way the laser cutters differ from other comparable devices. In our laser engravers review, we’re going to tell you about the best laser cutting machines available for sale.

If the engraving is your hobby or profession, we recommend you to take a look at our review of engravers.

What Features to Compare

Type

You should first discover how to use a laser engraver and what it’s best for. You may be surprised that there are only two types of laser engravers available. The first type is gas lasers and the second one is solid-state lasers. Your choice should depend on the materials you intend to use the engraver for. If you need laser engravers for woodworking or want to make laser engraved pint glasses, you should select a gas laser. It’s great for laser engraving on wood, glass, bamboo, plastic, leather and so on. However, if you are looking for a laser engraving machine for jewelry or CNC milling, you should purchase a more expensive alternative - a solid-state laser engraver.

Laser Power

Which laser power to choose will depend not only on the type of materials you plan to use it with but also on the speed you'd like the engraver to work. Suchwise, if you mainly engrave on wood, the power of a laser beam should not exceed 10W; the Plexiglas, in turn, requires minimum 40W of a laser beam; while the metal can be carved only with the laser that has the power of 500W power and more.

Software and Compatibility

You should also consider the original laser engraving supplies included in the set. For instance, the software allows you to get the maximum benefit from using your device. It determines the ease of use and efficiency of the device. In case an engraver is supplied with the software, make sure to check whether it's compatible with the operating system of your PC. Most laser engravers come with software tailored towards Windows users, although there are a few of those that have been designed for Mac OS computers as well.

Bed Size

Evidently, the bigger area a laser engraver can work with, the larger workpieces you will be able to produce at a time. The dimensions of the engraving area will totally depend on the type and size of materials you usually process. Trust us, it won’t be a waste to check this parameter since once you buy a laser engraver, you won’t be able to expand the bed size. You will have to buy a new machine.

Ventilation

It is no news that any machinery warms up while in service thus causing faster component wear. Therefore, in order to provide proper and longer operation, laser engravers are equipped with cooling or ventilating systems. They can be divided into types:

Air cooling system works with a few blowers that establish natural air circulation and turn on along with your engraver.

Closed water cooling system is a water skirt installed under the heating details. Such a system includes a tank with cooling distilled water, a pump to move water through the system, and a cooling radiator. This system requires a liquid change at least once a month.

Flowing water cooling system works on the same principle as the previous one with the exception that it doesn’t have a tank and a radiator. Such a system uses the central water-supply system for the circulation of cooling water. As a rule, industrial laser engravers are equipped with this type of cooling system.

Ease of Use

Such things as rotary tools for engraving round objects, a ventilation system to extract odors while engraving, auto shut-off after some time of no use - all of these things add to the usability of a laser engraver. So if you’d like to have one, or a few of these features, you should better check on them while searching for your best laser engraver.

FAQ:

Q: How can I choose the best machine for my needs?A: If you are looking for your first laser engraving machine and want to get your money’s worth, you should ask yourself a few questions. Firstly, you need to decide what you are going to apply it for. Cutting or engraving? What materials do you want to engrave? In any case, you should pay attention to all characteristics of the machine you have selected.

Q: How long does it take to get the hang of using the laser?A: Well, if you are already familiar with graphic design software, it won’t take you much time. The only holdback that might occur is learning what speed and power settings should be applied to different materials. However, almost every laser engraving machine comes with detailed instructions on how to assemble and use the device. If you are new to engraving, the learning process will take you just a bit longer.

Q: What is the difference between laser cutting and laser engraving?A: Actually, these are two completely different processes. Laser engraving is a procedure of reproducing logos, photos, and pictures on various materials such as wood, acrylic, and textile. Laser cutting, on the other hand, is a thermal separation of predetermined geometries with the laser beam. The cutting is good for producing letters, numbers, or figures.

Q: What materials can be engraved?A: Most laser engraving machines are not limited to just wood or plastic, they can make engravings on bamboo, leather, organic non-metal materials, and even paper.

Q: What materials cannot be cut and engraved?A: Take note that you shouldn’t laser cut or engrave such materials as carbon, polyvinyl chloride, Teflon, polyvinyl butyral, beryllium oxide, and any material that contains halogens, epoxy, or phenolic resins. The engraving on these materials may be dangerous for your health since they might emit chemicals and dust. So, in order to prevent health problems, we highly recommend you to select workpieces carefully.